We enjoyed the blessing of attending church in the Avarua Branch today. Of course because it was Mother's Day, the Primary came in and serenaded the mothers. Trisha said it was delightful. Music is part of the heritage of this people. They really get into it, whether it is church or community.
All of the "mums" got a corsage and little gift bag filled with Cadbury chocolates. The Young Women's Presidency were the sacrament meeting speakers. Our friend Momi Ezekela lead the singing and spoke as 2nd Councilor in the YW Presidency.
Of course Sammy is very involved in the Branch as well. He taught gospel doctrine and is also the Young Men's President. I guess that is the nature of life in a small branch of the Church. I attended priesthood meeting and there were a total of five high priests and two elders in our lesson.
Here is a shot of Momi and Sam after services. They are such kind and gracious people. I have been feeling guilty all week, because I haven't contacted them. Their little restaurant is closed, so we didn't have that means of contacting them. Of course that is a tragedy in and of itself, because the food was awesome, but I digress. Anyway, I knew they would love to be hanging out, and I wanted to do the same. However, they are on a very strict budget (two missionary sons currently serving in Australia), and their cultural heritage demands that they entertain us to the utmost. We have, therefore, been reluctant to contact them. However, the deed is done now, we are joining them tomorrow evening for FHE. It is potluck, which feels good to me.
I also had the chance to see another old friend at sacrament meeting today. This is Sister Charmaine, one of the legends of the Church in the Cook Islands. She was converted by missionaries in the early 1960's (the beginnings of the Church here), and she has served two missions herself and continues to have strong ties to former missionaries. She told us she was at General Conference last year. We probably sat in some of the same sessions! She has been under the weather, but today was the first day out in a long time. I was so pleased to see her.
Now for the disappointment of the weekend. We planned last night to go out to one of the other highly acclaimed restaurants on the Island. I tried for a reservation, but no one picked up the phone. We just showed up at 6:00 PM, but they told us they couldn't seat us without a reservation until 7:30. I always wonder if that attitude means we don't want to seat you at all, but again, I digress. Anyway, we had to settle for dinner at the Rarotongan Resort, the aging flagship of Cook Island Hospitality. They were having a buffet, of which we partook. It was average at best. However, when the desserts rolled out. They had bread pudding made of croisants drowned in custard. They also had a bittersweet chocolate mousse that would satisfy any ardent chocoholic. Trisha had seconds it was sooo good.
That is the latest. We are having dinner in our room tonight, Wattie's spaghetti sauce, corn on the cob, salad, and Diet Coke for dessert.
Buboppy
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